What Are The Best Floor Tiles?

Typical Cost To Install New Tile Floors Average: $1,572 - $3,460
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When it comes to tile flooring, there is no shortage of materials, colors, textures and designs to choose from. However, not every type of tile is appropriate for every space.

Here are 8 tips to select the right option for any room in your house.

You can also use our Flooring Calculator to quickly estimate your project costs.

1. Consider Tile Hardness

Tiles 
 for living room

When browsing different types of floor tiles, one of the most important features to pay attention to is to is Hardness (the Moh’s scale).

It measures the material’s ability to withstand wear/foot traffic, as well as scratches. The ratings are issued by the Porcelain Enamel Institute and are based on rigorous laboratory testing. You can use this scale to select a product that is most suitable for your room’s function.


Cost to Install Tile Floor (200 s.f.)
Low End
$1,392
Average
$2,156
High End
$3,879

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Class I: No foot traffic. Appropriate for wall-only application.

Class II: Light traffic or interior wall applications. Best in areas with soft soled to normal foot traffic, with no scratching dirt. For example, bathrooms and bedrooms with no exterior access.

Class III: Light to moderate traffic, as well as countertops and walls. Appropriate for spaces with normal foot traffic and small amounts of scratching dirt. All rooms of the home, except for kitchens, entryways, and other areas with high foot traffic.

Class IV: Moderate to heavy traffic. It can be installed in all areas of the home, including kitchens, halls, entryways. These are the best floor tiles to use, as they perfectly combine beauty and function

Class V: Heavy to extra heavy traffic, as well as exposure to scratching dirt. Works well in any room of the house, as well as commercial spaces.

2. Pay Attention To Tile Porosity

Bedroom Floor Tiles

Another critical feature not to be missed is porosity. It is determined by the ratio of air holes to solids in a tile, which impacts the amount of water it absorbs.

If you are installing tile in a moisture prone area, such as a bathroom, kitchen, mud room, laundry room, pay close attention to this rating.

Here are Porosity Classifications:

Impervious: water absorption of 0.5 percent or less. Recommended for use in the kitchen and especially bathroom.

Vitreous: water absorption of 0.5 percent to 3 percent.

Semi Vitreous: water absorption of 3 – 7 percent.

Non Vitreous: water absorption of more than 7 percent. This category is not recommended for floor use.


Cost to Install Tile Floor (200 s.f.)
Low End
$1,392
Average
$2,156
High End
$3,879

See costs in your area Start Here - Enter Your Zip Code


3. Go For Porcelain Tiles – An All Around Win

kitchen floor tile

If you are looking for a material that has strength, moisture resistance and versatile design, porcelain is the best choice.

It is more durable than ceramic and comes in a greater variety of styles, colors and textures. Not all porcelain products are made equal, and you need to check the specs of each one.

Today, thanks to highly advanced technologies, there are countless porcelain tile options that have a higher than average hardness and moisture resistance (these cost more).

Kitchen floor tile ideas

Porcelain tile is a great flooring option for a modern kitchen. Its budget-friendly, offers a wide range of versatile looks and is very easy to clean.

If your kitchen calls for an upscale looking floor without breaking the bank, there are marble or wood porcelain tile products. These designer tiles are manufactured using innovative digital ink-jet printers that create an almost identical copy of the texture and color of natural materials.

Another unique way to tile your kitchen floor is to use oversized checker tiles. Black and white color tile look very impressive in an modern white kitchen.

If you are looking to dress things up with a graphic floor, consider terrazzo tiles. Colorful encaustic tiles will also do the trick, making a boring kitchen floor the focal design point of the space.

Living Room Floor Tile Options

While most people don’t think of living room floors for tile installation, porcelain tile can bring a chic flair to the main room of your home.

Because now its possible to buy tile that replicate the warm look of natural hardwood or real stone, you can have the benefits of tile together with the look of other flooring materials.

Especially if you live a hot and humid climate, having tile flooring in the living room will go a long way to making the space feel cool. Porcelain tile will be pleasant to the touch, but will not retain heat, like wood floors do.

Other benefits of tile for the living room floor include longevity, pet-friendliness, ease of cleaning up stains (unlike carpet), and virtually zero maintenance, unlike other materials, such as natural wood or stone. Porcelain tile is also eco-friendly; its none-allergenic and VOC free material.

If you have an open floor plan and your living room comes together with the dining room and kitchen, you can create a beautiful tile floor design that flows seamlessly throughout the space. Alternatively, you can use bright color or mosaic tile to create visual breaks in the space and add interest.

4. Ensure Tile Slip Resistance

Bedroom Floor Tiles

Most tile materials tend to be slippery, and all the more so, if water is introduced into the equation. If you have children and elderly people in the house, it is very important to install slip resistant tile.

The bathroom is a prime place where fall accidents may happen, particularly the shower area, so good slip resistance is highly recommended.

When shopping around for a shower tile floor look for products with a high COF (coefficient of friction).

It is best to install tile sizes that are 4×4 or smaller. Avoid using ones that are bigger than 6×6.

There are a number of options to consider:

1.Ceramic or Porcelain: choose a product that has a special textured surface. Inquire about slip resistant coatings.

2.Slate: this beautiful stone has a naturally slip resistant texture.

3.Small size tile (glass, mosaic, etc): these have more grout lines, making the overall surface more textured and therefore slip resistant.

Penny tile rounds are another beautiful design that provides ample traction. They typically come in size 2×2 or smaller. As a result, they would be perfect as shower tiles.

4. Pebble stone: has a highly textured surface and boasts a unique visual aesthetic.


Cost of Bathroom Remodel
$7,210 - $14,612
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5. Choose Ceramic Wood Tile Instead Of Real Hardwood

Designer Ceramic Tile That Looks Like Wood

If you love the look of hardwood but don’t want to deal with maintenance, consider installing wood ceramic tile. It is highly durable, scratch and moisture resistant.

Best of all, different high-end brands make products that masterfully recreate almost any wood species from domestic to exotic.

Even distressed and reclaimed wood grain ceramic tile is available! Check out chic ceramic tile designs from Architectural Ceramics, Porselanosa, Marazzi USA.

These will look stunning as a kitchen floor tile, particularly in more traditional or rustic spaces. Also, its ideal as a bathroom or a shower floor tile, where a real hardwood would not be recommended.

If you are worried about tile being cold to the touch, you can add radiant floor heating under, and it will feel even more pleasant than real wood!

6. Install Stone Tile For Ultimate Luxury And Quality

If luxury and incredible durability are your top priorities, stone floor tile is second to none. Marble, granite and travertine can elevate the look of any room of your house.

Because no two stones are exactly alike, you get a naturally beautiful floor tiles that will look like no other.

Larger tile sizes, at least 12×12, look particularly impressive and help create a uniform seamless look that is ideal for modern interior designs.

Its important to note that unlike other types of tiles, stone needs to be sealed to maintain durability and remain resistant to stains.

Unsealed stone may remain porous and therefore susceptible to water infiltration. In worst case scenarios, it may even begin to crumble.

After being initially sealed during the installation process, it will need to be resealed every 5-10 years to maintain optimal looks and quality.

7. Make A Space Appear Larger With Light Floor Tile Colors

Floor tile colors

If you have a room that is small and or does not have a lot of natural light, you can improve it by installing light color floor tile.

White, sand, beige, cream, etc are all good choices. Marble or ceramic/porcelain would also be a good match for this application.

Larger tiles tend to make a small room appear bigger. You can even install the same material on the walls, which will further enhance the illusion of expanded space.

To amplify the affect and create a seamless flowing surface use a matching grout color. This works particularly well in small or tiny bathrooms.

8. Create A Modern Aesthetic And Custom Designs With Concrete Tile

Concrete Tile Floor

If you want a very modern, upscale feel in your home, consider concrete tile. It is a highly versatile material that can be used in any room of your house: kitchen, bathroom, living room, etc.

Compared to other types of floor tile, concrete’s biggest advantage is that it can be custom made for your particular application.

You can choose the size, color and texture of concrete, request custom cutouts, embeds, special imprinted patterns, as well as three-dimensional sculptural designs. Thus, your design options are virtually endless.

The best part: this unique custom-made flooring is rather affordable. Installation costs range from $6-8 per square foot, which is cheaper than natural stone.

Moreover, concrete is one of the most durable, and long lasting flooring options. It is highly resistant to foot traffic, staining and moisture. Once installed, you will most likely never have to replace it again!

The only major downside to concrete floors is extreme hardness. Some people may find it uncomfortable to the touch when walking with bare feet. Also, small children or elderly individuals may get hurt, in case of slipping and falling.


Cost to Install Tile Floor (200 s.f.)
Low End
$1,392
Average
$2,156
High End
$3,879

See costs in your area Start Here - Enter Your Zip Code



About Leo Bender

Leo has been a contractor since 2003, specializing in: roofing, siding, general contracting (GC) and residential remodeling. Leo is also a Certified HVAC, Oil & Gas Heating Technician/Installer. In addition to roofing and remodeling, Leo is passionate about Solar, green building and energy conservation, so a lot of my time and energy goes to installing energy efficient heating and cooling systems.


See more about Remodeling Calculator team here


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27 comments on “What Are The Best Floor Tiles?

  1. Masonry Contractor Bensalem

    Yes, make sure to take into account the “slip factor”, can be devastating if something bad should happen, God forbid.

    Reply
  2. Charlotte Fleet

    My parents are renovating their kitchen and they need to select new tiles for the flooring. Thank you for stating how porcelain tiles are resistant to moisture and very strong. I’ll be sure to recommend that my parents invest in porcelain tiles from a reliable company for their kitchen so it will last a long time.

    Reply
  3. Fred

    Thank you for the exposure. I was looking for tips to guide me chose tiles for my new house and you gave me in this post . I love you

    Reply
    1. Dana Harripersad

      Yes Thanks for the advice on the size of tiles for different rooms and also the types that go for different rooms !! Super helpful

      Reply
  4. Raymond Cooper

    I’m thinking of getting tile installed in my home. I thought it was really helpful how you suggested using impervious tile for my bathroom and kitchen since it doesn’t let any water through. I’ll keep this in mind since I want to make sure my floors are properly protected.

    Reply
  5. Duncan Lance

    Not many homeowners would ever consider the hardness of the tile when choosing it, so I like that the article brings that up. After all, it might be easy to forget, but you will be walking along that tile every day in your home, so you’ll want it to be comfortable. The hardness will also likely have an effect on its durability, so you’ll want it to last if you have pets or kids running around the house.

    Reply
  6. Gerty Gift

    I like that you said that porcelain is durable, but versatile. I have been thinking about what kind of tiles we would like to have in our bathroom, and this has really helped me. We have a lot of rambunctious people and animals in our home and I think that this would really stand up to anything that gets thrown at it.

    Reply
  7. Mark P.

    Tiles that have sculpted or textured edges are much harder to clean. Grime can build up in the crevices and are very difficult to maintain. From personal experience. I would highly recommend a straight edge tile.

    Reply
  8. Diego Seth

    There are different flooring options hardwood, laminate, vinyl, tile flooring etc. And if you select tile flooring then it is the best option. But as there are different tile flooring options from that you have to select best tile flooring. For this you have to select size of the material, select the right finish, right color etc.

    Reply
  9. Marcus

    I liked when you mentioned how you should take the time to consider the foot traffic of a room before choosing the best type of floor for your needs. It is important to remember that doing some research and assessing your own needs can help you find the best floor for your home. We are planning on replacing our carpet and want to find the best type of floor that can serve our purposes and last, so I’ll keep your tips in mind as we choose the best floor.

    Reply
  10. Dan Moller

    I’ve been choosing between having our hardwood floor refinished or installing a tile flooring around our house. My wife did say that porcelain flooring would be easier to maintain than wood and that there are plenty of designs that we could look at. I would appreciate the durability of this kind flooring as well so I’ll be sure to check them out and look at the designs.

    Reply
  11. Deb Pearl

    That is a great idea to install a light color floor tile in a small room! That would make the room seem a lot bigger than it actually is. I never thought about doing that! I have a bathroom that is pretty small, and it would be nice to make it feel bigger just by adding a lighter floor! I will have to give it a try!

    Reply
  12. Mayet

    Stone tiles really do date you back to the old times. The natural feel of the stone tiles makes it appear like being one with nature in every aspect but still being classy at the same time. Floor tiles could really provide a huge amount of elegance to your interior so be sure to choose wisely.

    Reply
  13. Joy Butler

    I absolutely love your pointers about which tile floor I should use for different rooms in our house which we are currently renovating. I like that you’ve provided such detailed and comprehensive list of characteristics of which tiles would be most appropriate for every situation. I’m blown away by your concept of using light-colored tiles in the bathroom and I’d like to use it as a reference to our project as well.

    Reply
  14. Kyle Wayne

    I like your point about avoiding slippery tile. My wife and I are thinking about putting new tile in our hall bathroom. We definitely will want to make sure we find the right tile that doesn’t have our kids slipping all over the place.

    Reply
  15. Harper Campbell

    My husband and I are in the process of remodeling our house, and we are looking into different types of flooring. I like the idea of using tiles but am curious to know about which kind to use, and if there are benefits to it. I love the suggestion of using ceramic wood since it is something that is durable and moisture resistant.

    Reply
  16. Kourtney Jensen

    Your article was super helpful as well as insightful on how to choose flooring, especially picking a slip resistant tile. I didn’t know this was an option till now, and looking for products with a high COF will ensure that. I’m looking to redo our bathroom and this will be super helpful in keeping people safe from the wet floors.

    Reply
  17. Gloria Durst

    I like how you say that you would want to get tile that is slip resistant. Having something that will give you a little extra grip in areas like the bathroom would probably be really important. I’m looking for new tile for my bathroom after a remodel so I’ll have to find some that are slip resistant.

    Reply
  18. Olivia Nelson

    I appreciate your tip on checking how porous a tile is before you install it in the right area. It would seem that if you are installing it in an area that gets wet porcelain would be a good bet because of it’s resilience and moisture resistance. I’m looking to retile my bathroom so maybe porcelain would do well.

    Reply
  19. jresquival

    That’s interesting that the Moh’s scale measures the material’s ability to withstand wear/foot traffic, as well as scratches. Knowing that can help you choose what flooring you need for that high traffic hallway. I’ve been thinking about getting tiles that would work with a modern look.

    Reply
  20. Trayson Evans

    Wood takes a lot of work to maintain. I agree with the article that if this is a problem for you, it would be worth considering another option. When wood gets scratched, you need to sand it, re-stain, and re-finish it. If you don’t get the right stain, you may have to do the whole floor. That’s a lot of work.

    Reply
  21. Luke Smith

    I didn’t realize there were different tile hardness categories including some that are only appropriate for wall use and not foot traffic! I would imagine that since there seems to be so much about tile that I don’t know, it would be essential for me to work with a professional when choosing tiles. I am sure that a renovation contractor would be able to help me out.

    Reply
  22. Scott

    I had no idea that there were air holes in tile and that the porosity level is used to determine how many. I can see why this would be important to be aware of when choosing the right flooring for your room. My sister is currently remodeling her house. I’ll have to talk to her about what kind of floor she is wanting to put in.

    Reply
  23. Baxter Abel

    I really appreciate your tip to use ceramic wood tiles instead of hardwood. My mom and step-dad love to use ceramic wood tiles because it looks just like wood but requires far less maintenance than hardwood. Thanks for the tips, I’ll be sure to refer to your article the next time I’m choosing tiles for my house!

    Reply
  24. Skylar Williams

    I love your last picture of the white marble flooring. you’re right, it does make it bigger and works well with the bright lighting. I would love to get that installed in my bathroom. I just need to find a contractor and go over pricing.

    Reply